Drugman--a computerized supplement to a hospital's drug information newsletter

A computerized supplement to a hospital's drug information newsletter, called Drugman, is described. The pharmacy department of a 452-bed teaching hospital developed Drugman. The program uses the "Converse" software, which was developed by the hospital's computer medicine department. The program provides information on new drugs recently added to the formulary and updated information on current formulary drugs. It also provides information on investigational drugs. A staff pharmacist is responsible for coordinating the writing and review of each new-drug monograph in the system, as well as the computer entry and up-dating of existing monographs. The program is available to all medical, nursing, and pharmacy personnel via computer terminals located on each nursing unit and in the pharmacy department. Survey questions at the end of the program elicit user response to the program and suggestions for additions or changes. In the initial 14-month period, the general response to Drugman has been favorable. Drugman represents a new method of disseminating drug information via computer in an individual hospital. The program complements traditional drug information sources and has been received positively in our hospital.